Does the internet work inside Costa Rica's national parks?

A 4G/LTE connection is available at and near the main tourist sites, such as Arenal Volcano National Park and the area around Manuel Antonio beach. However, deep inside the jungle, as in Tortuguero, and in some remote coastal areas, coverage can be patchy or drop out. We recommend saving important maps and information offline in advance.

Travel eSIM or carrier roaming: which is cheaper for a trip to Costa Rica?

For a short trip or light data use, a travel eSIM is usually cheaper. Unlimited roaming from Korean carriers costs about ₩11,000–₩15,000 a day, but with an eSIM you can buy just the days of data you need in advance. For a short trip for one or two people, an eSIM has a big advantage; for a family or very heavy data use, compare carrier unlimited roaming too.

Which carrier network does a Costa Rica eSIM use?

In Costa Rica it connects automatically to local carrier networks such as Kölbi (ICE) · Movistar Costa Rica · Liberty · Claro (4G/LTE, 5G where supported). Population coverage is about 80%. It picks the network with the strongest signal automatically, so there is nothing to set up.

Can I keep using my Korean number while travelling in Costa Rica?

Yes. The eSIM works as a data-only second line, so your Korean SIM and number stay as they are. Use the Yeohaengyusim eSIM for data only, and keep receiving calls, texts and KakaoTalk on your Korean number.

Can I add to or extend my Costa Rica eSIM plan?

Yes. When you use up your data or the plan period ends, you can buy a new plan at any time. Keep using the eSIM profile you already installed; there is no need to install it again, so you carry on without interruption.

Can I use tethering (hotspot) in Costa Rica?

Yes. In Costa Rica you can share your eSIM data with other devices such as a laptop or tablet by tethering (hotspot). Shared data also comes out of your plan allowance, so if you tether a lot we recommend choosing a little more data.

Do I set up the eSIM before I leave or after I arrive?

We recommend installing it (registering the QR code) before you leave, while you have Wi-Fi. Data starts when you turn on data roaming after you arrive in Costa Rica. Just remember "set up before you leave, switch on when you arrive" and you can use the internet as soon as you land.

How many GB of data do I need for a trip to Costa Rica?

For mostly maps and messaging, we recommend about 1 GB a day; to use plenty of social media and photo uploads, about 2 GB a day. If you stream a lot of video or tether a lot, an unlimited plan is better. You can always buy more if you run short, so it is fine to choose a little extra at first.

Does my smartphone support eSIM?

You can use it if your phone supports eSIM. iPhone supports it from the XS and XR onwards; Galaxy phones sold in Korea from the S23, Z Flip4 and Z Fold4 onwards. Dial *#06# in the phone app: if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. If it is SIM-locked, it needs to be unlocked.

Costa Rica eSIM plans

Instant delivery

A travel eSIM for Costa Rica starts from ₩4,053 and works as soon as you buy it. In Costa Rica it connects automatically to local networks such as Kölbi (ICE) · Movistar Costa Rica · Liberty · Claro (4G/LTE, 5G where supported), with population coverage of about 80%. Install it with the QR code before you leave and you can use the internet as soon as you land, with no roaming setup.

Sent instantly by email
30-day refund
Customer support in Korean
Credit card · Apple Pay

Costa Rica eSIM at a glance

Price: From ₩4,053
Local networks: Kölbi (ICE) · Movistar Costa Rica · Liberty · Claro
Network: 4G/LTE
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: Maps and messaging 1 GB a day · more room 2 GB a day · video: unlimited

eSIM plans you can use in Costa Rica

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	₩4,053
Unlimited	3 days	₩11,286
Unlimited	5 days	₩17,313
Unlimited	7 days	₩23,340
Unlimited	10 days	₩32,381
Unlimited	15 days	₩47,449
Unlimited	30 days	₩91,900
1 GB	7 days	₩5,259
2 GB	15 days	₩9,026
3 GB	30 days	₩12,039
5 GB	30 days	₩19,573
10 GB	30 days	₩36,902
20 GB	30 days	₩54,230
50 GB	30 days	₩78,339

With its dense rainforests, active volcanoes, colourful wildlife and seas stretching out on both sides, Costa Rica is a jewel of Central American travel. As the saying 'Pura Vida' suggests, its relaxed, unhurried way of life wins travellers' hearts at once. It is full of activities in the great outdoors, such as trekking on Arenal Volcano, ziplining in the Monteverde cloud forest and watching turtles nest in Tortuguero National Park. But to avoid getting lost even in the dense forest, a stable internet connection is a must. If you install a Yeohaengyusim eSIM before departure, you can use everything without a hitch, from map apps and translation to activity bookings, right after landing at San José Airport. Enjoy Costa Rica's great outdoors the smart way, without having to hunt around for a local SIM.

Flight time from Korea

About 22–24 hours (including layovers)

Time difference

15 hours behind Korea (KST-15, UTC-6)

Best season to go

December–April (dry season)

Plug type

Type A/B (adapter needed)

Why you need an eSIM in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is famous for its beautiful natural environment, and that is exactly why an internet connection matters even more. Booking national park entry, contacting eco-tour guides, using Google Maps on rough terrain and making emergency contact just in case — without smartphone data, you can easily find yourself in trouble. To buy a SIM locally in Costa Rica, you have the hassle of going in person to downtown San José or a large supermarket. A Yeohaengyusim eSIM, on the other hand, installs easily with a QR code in Korea before departure and connects automatically to the Kölbi (ICE) network on arrival. Your existing Korean number stays as it is while only your data uses the local network, so your KakaoTalk contact is not cut off either. In particular, a 4G/LTE connection is available even in remote natural areas such as Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, which is a big help for checking your location and staying safe. If you plan to dive straight into tropical nature without a short layover, preparing an eSIM is the first item on your travel checklist.

Network coverage in Costa Rica

Carrier

Kölbi (ICE)

+ Movistar Costa Rica

Network

4G/LTE

Coverage

80%

How do I install a Costa Rica eSIM?

1
Buy a plan
Choose a data plan for Costa Rica and complete payment.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email we sent and point your phone camera at its QR code.
3
Install the eSIM
Complete the eSIM installation as prompted. Doing it before you leave is simplest.
4
Connect on arrival
Once you land in Costa Rica, switch data roaming on and you're online.

1
Buy a plan
Choose a data plan for Costa Rica and complete payment.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email we sent and point your phone camera at its QR code.
3
Install the eSIM
Complete the eSIM installation as prompted. Doing it before you leave is simplest.
4
Connect on arrival
Once you land in Costa Rica, switch data roaming on and you're online.

Which plan is right for me?

Short trip

For a short 3–7 day trip, an unlimited data plan is ideal.

Business trip

We recommend a high-data plan with plenty for video calls and email.

Long stay

Staying a month or more? A large-data plan gives the best value.

Family trip

Families sharing a connection across multiple devices should pick a tethering-enabled plan with a generous data allowance.

eSIM, local SIM or pocket Wi-Fi: what suits a trip to Costa Rica best?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Pocket Wi-Fi
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy locally	Pick up / delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Separate device
Price	From ₩4,053	₩10,000~50,000	₩5,000~15,000/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed data	Daily rental
Best for	Ideal for travellers	Long stays	Families / groups

Costa Rica eSIM FAQ

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